Speaking at a public function in the western town of Pokhara, the king called on Nepal's political parties and other groups to help create a suitable environment to hold the ballot.

"The elections must be free," he said in the address, which was broadcast live on state television and radio.

King Gyanendra fired the elected government in late 2002, saying it was not competent to tackle an ongoing revolt by Maoists and named a loyalist administration in its place. Parliament was also dissolved.

The appointed government had earlier this year pledged elections around November but set no definite date.

"We ... call on all concerned to create an environment wherein the governance of the country can be handed over to elected representatives by initiating elections to the House of Representatives within the year 2061," the king said.

The Nepali year 2061 ends mid-April next year.

"Every adult citizen must strongly feel the franchise can be exercised to elect the representative of one's own free will," he said.

"We are hopeful that necessary cooperation will be forthcoming from all those who have faith in multiparty democracy including political parties," the king said.

The last general elections for the 205-member lower house of parliament were held in May 1999.

Since the dissolution of parliament, the five main political parties represented in the house have been waging an ongoing protest campaign to pressure the king to call fresh elections or restore the elected legislature.

The parties accuse him of seeking to return to the days when his family ran Nepal before the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1990.

"Violence, terrorism and destruction can only reap ruin," the monarch said Sunday as he urged all Nepalese to unite in the cause of peace and progress.

He was referring to an uprising by Maoist rebels bent on installing a communist republic in Nepal that since it began in 1996 has claimed more than 9,500 lives.

"To fulfill the people's desire to bring to an end disruptive terrorist activities, we are confident that all those who have faith in the constitutional process and democratic ideals will contribute towards promoting peace, understanding and creativity in the welfare of the nation and people," the king said.